The Sword of Tipu Sultan was a historical drama series on Indian television. The story is based on the novel by bhagwan Gidwani, a portrayal of the life of the ruler the Mysore, Tipu Sultan. Sanjay Khan, director, producer and actor has produced and also acted as Tipu Sultan while starting an era of making mega serials.
The show was premiered in India on Doordarshan National Television in the year 1990. The show was broadcasted on every Sunday. Later, in 2001 it was re-telecasted on Star Plus channel. The serial was also translated in Bengali and Tamil. The show was even broadcasted overseas in the UK and countries including Mauritius, Iran and Indonesia. The serial became popular and widely praised. However, it came across many obstacles of legal issues and a major fire accident on sets. A petition was filed by Ravi Verma, et al., claiming that the serial is not based on real life of Tipu Sultan. A judgment was passed wherein a disclaimer has to be displayed before telecasting the episodes. During the shoot of the serial, a major fire accident took place on the 8th of February of 1990 at a Premier Studios in Mysore with a death toll of 62. The lead actor Sanjay Khan suffered with major burns and had spent 13 months in the hospital. The Sword of Tipu Sultan is India’s first mega serial becoming a classic blockbuster. Sanjay khan’s comeback after recovery from major burnt reflects his dedication to complete the serial. The show was ended in the year 1991.The great performance by Sanjay Khan is remembered till date and admired by all. The classic blockbuster has created a historic landmark in the history of Indian Television.
The major cast of the show includes:
1. Sanjay Khan
Sanjay Khan, actor, director and producer in Indian television and film industry. He was born on 03 January 1941 as Abbas Khan in Bangalore. He debut, in movies with the film Haqeeqat in 1964. He co-starred with Feroz khan, his elder brother, in three films: Mela and Upaasna in 1971, Nagin in 1976. He directed and also acted in films: Chandi Sona in 1977, Abdullah in 1980, Kala Dhanda Gorey Log in 1986 which is his last film as an actor. He acted in nearly 30 movies up to 1986 and moved into directions of television serials in 1990. He directed the famous historical serial The Sword of Tipu Sultan and since then he produced and directed TV serials. During the shoot of The Sword of Tipu Sultan he survived from a major fire accident. Also, he directed and produced another TV mega serial The Great Maratha. Further, he produced and directed Jai Hunuman in 1997, Kranti and Maharathi Karna. He launched Golden Palms Hotel and Spa, a 5-star hotel and spa in Bangalore.
Sanjay Khan married Zarine Katrak, a model of 60s. They have 3 daughters and a son. Elder daughter was born on 28 December 1969 and was named Farah. She married famous DJ Aqeel. Simone is their second daughter who was born 12 February 1971 and married Ajay Arora, Owner of D’décor. Suzanne Khan is their youngest daughter was born on 26 October 1978 was married to Hirthik Roshan and is divorced now. Zayed Khan, the only son was born on 5 July 1980.
2. Deepika Chikhalia
Deepika Chikhalia popularly known for her Sita character in TV series Ramayan in 1987. She was born on 29 April 1965. She made her debut in acting with Sun Meri Laila in 1983. She did Hindi movies, in Tamil and kannada one in each. She also did a Bengali movie. On television she appeared in popular series Dada Daadi Ki Kahani in 1985.
After earning fame through Ramayan she was flooded with roles in TV series like Vikram Aur Betaal in 1988, The Sword of Tipu Sultan where she played the role of Tipu’s mother. She also played the mother of Luv and Kush in TV series Luv Kush in 1989.She continued getting lead roles in hit TV serials like Vikram Aur Betaal(1988), The Sword of Tipu Sultan and Luv Kush (both in 1989). She could not get fame as on television. After TV and movies, she tried her hand on politics when she won as a member of Lok Sabha from Baroda in 1991 representing BJP party. She married Hemant Topiwala, the owner of Tips and Toes cosmetics and they have two daughters Nidhi and Juhi.
3. Anant Mahadevan
Anant Mahadevan is a writer, director and actor. He worked in Marathi, Hindi movies and also TV serials. Apart from movies and TV, he is involved in English and Hindi theatre. He along with Sanjay Pawar received National Award in 2010 for Mee Sindhutai Sapka,a Marathi movie, for screenplay and dialogues. Apart from this award winning movie, he directed movies like Dil Maange More, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, The Xpose, Life is Good. As a writer, he wrote the story like Aksar and Dil Maange More. He acted in movies like Baadshah, Baazigar, Chandni and appeared in mega TV series The Sword of Tipu Sultan.
4. Maya Alagh
Maya Alagh a 80's actress appeared in movies, TV series and commercial ads. Maya played varied roles in her acting career. Though she did movies but she was mostly associated with television. She married the MD of Britannia Industries, Sunil Alagh. She hosted shows like Ardhangini. As a modern mother, she appeared in movies like Mujse Dosti Karogi, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein. She appeared as a mother of Tipu Sultan on The Sword of Tipu Sultan. Her daughter is also an actress
5. Shahbaz Khan
Shahbaz Khan, an Indian actor, was born in 1966 in Indore. He is the son of popular classical singer, Ustad Amir Khan. He is popular for his lead role in TV serials like Chandrakanta, Yug and The Great Maratha. He played the role of Hyder Ali in The Sword of Tipu Sultan. He studied in Hislop College and moved to Mumbai.
He acted in serials as Mata Singh in Ek Ghar Banaunga( 2013-14), Bairam Khan in Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap (2013–present), Maharaj Briraj in Dekha Ek Khwaab (2011-2012), Naaginn (2007), Saat Phere (2005), C.I.D., Aamrapali (2002), as Betaal in Betaal Pachisi (1997), as Virendra Singh in Yug (1997), as Hyder Ali in The Sword of Tipu Sultan (1989), as Kunwar Virendra Vikram in Chandrakanta (1994), as Mahadji Shinde in The Great Maratha (1994). He acted in films like Singh Saab the Great in 2013, Agent Vinod in 2012, The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey in 2005, Masti in 2004, Jaal: The Trap in 2003, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy in 2003, Ek Hindustani in 2003, Yeh Hai Jalwa in 2002, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin in 2002, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage in 2002, Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta in 2001, Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya in 2000, Raju Chacha in 2000, Chal Mere Bhai in 2000, Major Saab in 1998, Betaal Pachisi in 1997.